Conveying or holding device for metallic surfaces, more particularly for the sides of ships

ABSTRACT

A movable carriage for traversing the sides and bottom of a steel hulled ship is provided with electromagnets for holding the carriage against the hull. The carriage travels on overlapping roller wheels, and the end wheels are of smaller diameter than the others to facilitate travel over bumps and surface irregularities in the hull. Carriage movement is implemented by winch driven cables, and the carriage may serve as a mount for a pilot cage, a working platform, a paint sprayer, a cleaning tool, etc.

Ilnite Sttes Scheiding atent [4 Jan.7,l975

[ CONVEYING OR HOLDING DEVICE FOR METALLIC SURFACES, MORE RTIC LARL FOR THE ,SLDEPESHI i [76] Inventor: Horst I II. Scheiding, PO. Box

1240-D, 2854 Loxstedt, Bremerhaven, Germany [22] Filed: May 7, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 357,768

[52] U.S. Cl. 182/142 [51] Int. Cl B605 3/02, E04g 3/10 [58] Field of Search 182/142, 150, 129; 15/93 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,118,276 5/1938 Temple 114/222 Primary ExaminerReinaldo P. Machado Attorney, Agent, or FirmSughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn and Macpeak [57] ABSTRACT A movable carriage for traversing the sides and bottom of a steel hulled ship is provided with electromagnets for holding the carriage against the hull. The carriage travels on overlapping roller wheels, and the end wheels are of smaller diameter than the others to facilitate travel over bumps and surface irregularities in the hull. Carriage movement is implemented by winch driven cables, and the carriage may serve as a mount for a pilot cage, 21 working platform, a paint sprayer. a cleaning tool, etc.

11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 71975 3.858.681

sum 20F 5 fly. 2

2 190/1915) Mal/l!) FATEHTED 3,858,681

SHEET 3 CF 5 PATENTED JAN 19- 5 SHEET 0F 5 l CONVEYING OR HOLDING DEVICE FOR METALLIC SURFACES, MORE PARTICULARLY FOR THE SIDES OF SHIPS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a conveying or holding device for conveying and/or holding people and/or apparatus and/or materials on or against ferrous metal surfaces, more particularly against the sides of ships. Apart from being pressed against the metal surface by its own weight, the device is adapted to be pressed against the surface by magnets arranged a short distance away from the surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to various improvements to a conveying or working platform. Primarily, it relates to the development of and improvement to and/or construction of a mobile carriage as a support for the magnet or magnets. The object of the invention is to arrange the magnets in such a manner that during the movement of the device any possible obstacles or irregularities which are commonly encountered on the sides of ships, may be surmounted without appreciably reducing the holding strength and without the magnets adhering to the side of the ship.

The invention consists in that the magnet or magnets is/are mounted on a mobile carriage having a plurality of tread rollers arranged a short distance apart from each other. Considered in plan form, the rollers are preferably staggered with respect to each other. The distance between their axes is less than the diameter of the rollers.

By means of the plurality of rollers, the device is able to adapt perfectly to the irregularities commonly found on the sides of ships, such that the minimal distance of the magnets from the surface being traversed may also be accurately maintained in the region of the irregularities.

Other features relate to the operation of the conveying or working platform on ships.

Lastly, another essential part of the invention consists in the recognition that the carriage, which is provided with one or more magnets, may also be used for other purposes, more particularly as a carrier for tools, e.g., jet apparatus for cleaning the sides of ships and spray-painting apparatus for painting the sides of ships or the like.

Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof provided with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a mobile carriage for two magnets, I

FIG. 2 shows a side view of FIG. ll, with a part of a cage suspended on the mobile carriage,

FIG. 3 is a top view of the ships side showing a car rier platform for pilots or the like, in an operational position,

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 shows a carrier platform for pilots being operated from between decks on a ship,

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The essential part of the invention is a mobile carriage 10, which is intended for use as a conveying de vice on ferrous metal surfaces, for example, on the steel side wall 11 of a ship. This mobile carriage 10 is provided with one or more magnets 12 and 13, more particularly, electromagnets. These magnets 12 and 13 may be of commercial size, with, for example, a circular cross-section. A cylindrical outer casing 12a or l3a forms the one pole and a cylindrical core 12b or 1312 the other pole of this magnet 12 or 13. A coil is arranged between the poles.

The design of the mobile carriage 10 is such that it can be kept at a minimum distance of, for example, 1.5 mm for the side of the ship 11, and any possible irregularities or difficulties can thus be surmounted. For this reason, the mobile carriage 10 is provided with a plurality of tread rollers arranged a short distance away from each other such that the magnets 12 and 13 are supported largely on the side 11. In the embodiment represented, the magnets 12 and 13 are each supported by clamping jaws l4 and 15 which both surround the magnets 12 and 13 and receive the tread rollers. In the embodiment shown, each magnet 12 or 13 is provided with five pairs of tread rollers 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b, 19a, 19b and 20a, 2011. These tread rollers 16a 20b are laterally mounted on the clamping jaws l4, 15, in such a manner that the distance between the axes of adjacent tread rollers is less than the diameter of the rollers. For this reason, the lateral surfaces of the clamping jaws 14, 15 are in stepped formation and a tread roller is arranged in each stepped recess. The tread rollers 13a and 18b are located in the median transverse axis of the magnet 12 or 13. The front and rear tread rollers in the direction of travel, i.e., 16a and 16b, and 20a and 20b, are mounted on continuous axes 21 and 22. These axes 21 and 22 serve to connect the clamping jaws l4 and 15 together. The remaining tread rollers 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b, 19a, 1%, are arranged on axle journals 23 or 24.

A special feature consists in that the tread rollers 16a and 16b, and 20a and 20b arranged at the front and in the rear in the direction of travel, possess a smaller diameter than the remaining tread rollers. The axes 21 and 22 are arranged in the same plane as the axle journals 23 and 24, so that in the normal operational position, the tread rollers 16a, lob and 20a, 20b do not rest against the wall 11 but are slightly removed from the same (FIG. 2). This renders it easier for the device to move over elevated spots on the wall 11 especially if the wall is covered with deposits and the like. For this reason, the cylindrical magnets 12 and 13 are provided with a chamfered section 25 at the front and at the rear. If the mobile carriage I0 is provided with two or more magnets I2, 13, a mobile carriage of the type described above is provided for each magnet 12 or 13. These are joined together by traverse rods 26 and 27. The ends of these traverse rods 26, 27 rest on the axle journals 24. The traverse rods are connected together by a cross bar 28. This cross bar may be used to secure a cage 29 or the like in a pivotable manner. Thus the mobile carriage 10 is pivotable relative to the cage 29 about the transverse axis formed by the cross bar 28.

FIGS. 2-6 shows the invention being used with a cage 29 for conveying pilots or the like along the sides of ships 11.

The drive means mounted on the ship for the cage 29 has a special construction. According to FIGS. 3 and 4, a stationary bridge 30 is provided. The drive mechanisms, namely the winch 31 and the motor 32, are arranged on the bridge. When the cage 29 is in an operational position, the cables 33, 34 leading to the cage 29 pass across guide rollers 35 protruding outwards across the side of the ship 11. If the cage 29 is not in an operational position, the guide rollers 35 are retractedin the case of the embodiment representedby means of a swivel arm 36, which is merely swung upwards.

The drive device for the cage 29 is constructed in such a manner that an upper stepping on and off position is provided by means of abutment shoulders or the like (FIGS. 3 and 4). However, the cage 29 can be moved upwards beyond the stepping on and off position until it is directly below the bridge 30. At this point, the rigid part of the cage 29 can be pulled inwards by means of a rope so that it is disposed below the bridge 30, while the part in the form of a rope ladder hangs down freely (FIG. 4, position indicated by the perforated lines).

FIGS. 5 and 6 represent an embodiment of the invention where the cage 29 is operated from between decks. In this case, a suitable opening 37 is provided in the side of the ship 1 1. This is used for stepping on and off the cage and also for bringing it in when it is not in operation. The drive means (winch 31, motor 32) is housed in a special place on the side of the ship. Special guide means are provided for the ropes 33 and 34 for driving the cage 29, and for an electrical cable 37. These means consist of a swivel arm 38 provided with an angular lower end 39. A deflecting roller 40 is arranged at the angular end 39. The rope 33 and 34 or the cable 37 passes across this deflecting roller 40. In the operational position, the swivel arm 38 hangs more or less vertically downwards in such a manner that the guide roller projects at least partially out over the side 11. This arrangement enables the rope 33, 34 or the cable 37 to be directed without interruption into the stowage area.

Another deflecting roller 41 is provided in the lower region of the guide arm 38. Deflecting roller 41 directs the rope 33, 34 or the cable 37 upwards to another guide roller 42 arranged in the swivel position of the swivel arm 38. The ropes 33 and 34 and the cable 37 pass from the guide roller 42 across other inclined guide rollers 43, 44, to the winch 31 and is wound at this point onto a common drum 46 (for the ropes 33, 34). The cable 37 is wound onto a cable drum 45.

When the cage 29 is not in operation, the swivel arm 36 is swung against the cover of the stowage area and held there by means of a pawl or the like. For safety reasons another pawl 48 is provided to secure the lower operational position.

FIGS. 7 9 show other possible uses for the invention. A mobile carriage 11, provided with, for example, a magnet 12, may be constructed in the same way as the mobile carriage according to FIG. 1 and used as a carrier for tools for working on the ferrous metal surface of the side 11 of the ship. In the case of the embodiment represented, a nozzle 49 ofa spray device has been attached to this type of tool carrier. This spray device is used, for example, for removing layers of alga from the ships side 11. In the embodiment represented, the nozzle 49 is attached by a holder, for example, a modified clamp 50, to the magnet 12. A hose pipe 51 leads to a supply unit mounted on deck.

In the embodiment shown, the mobile carriage 10a is moved by means of a traction rope 52 operated from the deck of the ship. Downward movements are produced by the weight of the mobile carriage 10a, but in the upwards direction the traction rope 52 is wound onto a cable drum or the like. The traction rope 52 is supported by a tow bar 53 on the axle journal 24.

The invention may be used in many different ways as a tool carrier. For painting the side of the ship, a paintspraying device may be mounted on the mobile carriage 10a instead of the jet device.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the drive means for the mobile carriage can be thoroughly modified. Drive means may actually be mounted on the carriage 10a, possibly with steering means, so that the carriage 10 does not only have to move in the direction determined by the tread rollers, but can move at right angles to the same. This movement may be effected by tread rollers having axes at right angles to the axes of the tread rollers 16a 20b. The rollers are moved against the side 11 so that the rollers 16a 20b are slightly removed from the side 11. This type of mobile carriage may also be remote controlled, in which case it is provided with a suitable receiver for receiving the control signals. It is also pro vided with its own energy source, for example, a battery.

The use of the tool carrier according to the invention also considerably facilitates the process of working on surfaces below water level. FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic example of a method of operating this type of carriage using two traction ropes 54 and 55. These devices can be used with ships having an uncomplicated hull, for example, tankers. Winches 56 and 57 are each provided for one of the traction ropes 54 and 55 and are arranged on the deck. They are paid out or brought in depending on the direction of movement of the carriage 10a. The winches 56 and 57 are advantageously arranged so as to be displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the ship, for example, on rails attached to the deck by electromagnets. In this way, the body of the ship can be worked on in sections, the winches 56 and 57 and thus the ropes 54 and 55 being moved one working width of the carrier after each movement cycle of the mobile carriage 10a.

The operating devices, which are specifically intended for carrier and working platforms and which are located on deck, may also be provided with various special features. One of these features consists in providing the winch 31 with a buffer accumulator (not shown) designed to provide energy for the magnets 12 and 13 and to come into operation in the event ofa circuit cutout on board ship. It is also advantageous to provide the winch 31 with starting damping to prevent the cage from starting with a jolt. Other measures may be provided to eliminate the formation of ice and/or remove any existing ice on the side 11 of the ship, at least in the direction of travel of the cage. More particularly,

it has been proposed to arrange a heating pipe directly behind the side wall 11, i.e., on the inside of the wall. Other mechanical devices, for example, striking tools, may also be used for removing layers of ice.

Another feature in the case of mobile carriages having two magnets, consists in connecting up the current supply in such a manner that the magnetic fields are oppositely poled. It has been found that the attractive force of the magnets arranged in this manner is greater than the sum of the forces of the two individual magnets. Furthermore, stray fields which could possibly interfere with sensitive devices on the ship, for example, navigation equipment, are avoided.

The use of the invention as a tool carrier is not only restricted to ship construction or maintenance but may apply to steel construction as a whole, particularly to the construction of containers.

What is claimed is:

1. In a conveying device for conveying useful loads over ferrous metal surfaces, more particularly, over the sides of ships, having at least one magnet which is secured by way of a mobile carriage to a supporting frame for receiving useful loads a short distance away from the surface being crossed, the improvements comprising a mobile carriage (l4, 16A 220B) which is pivotable relative to the supporting frame (26, 27; 53) about a pivot axis (24) at right angles to the direction of movement, and a plurality of pairs of tread rollers (16A 20B) arranged in the direction of travel and separated by the distance between their axes, the lateral separation of the front and rear tread rollers (16A, 16B; 20A, 20B) being less than the width of the magnets (12, 13).

2. An improved device according to claim 1, wherein a pair of tread rollers (18A, 18B) are mounted in alignment with the pivot axis (24).

3. An improved device according to claim 1, wherein the tread rollers (16A 20B), are staggered with respect to each other in plan view arranged in the direction of travel with the distance between the adjacent axes being less than the diameter of the rollers.

4. An improved device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet (l2, 13) is retained in a longitudinally divided clamp consisting of two clamping jaws (14, 15); the tread rollers (16A 208) being affixed in pairs symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal median plane on the sides of the clamp, said sides preferably being in stepped formation.

5. An improved device according to claim 1, wherein the front and rear tread rollers (16A, 16B; 20A, 20B) are smaller in diameter than the remaining tread rollers (17A 19B) such that by arranging the axis of rotation in the same plane parallel to the contact surface, the front and rear tread rollers are slightly removed from the plane of contact of the remaining tread rollers.

6. An improved device according to claim 1, wherein pairs of tread rollers are arranged on the mobile carriage.

7. An improved device according to claim 1, wherein the mobile carriage is attached to the supporting frame (26, 27; 53) by the pivot axis (24).

8. An improved device according to claim 1, wherein two mobile carriages each having a magnet (l2, 13) are fastened together to form a common carriage (10) by means of two laterally disposed traverse rods (26, 27), each rod having one end pivotally attached to each carriage, the useful loads being supported by a cage (29) pivotally attached to said traverse rods (26, 27) centrally between the mobil carriage.

9. An improved device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet (l2, 13) is an electromagnet with the magnetic fields oppositely poled.

10. An improved device according to claim 8 wherein the mobile carriage or frame containing the magnets is arranged in the upper part of the conveying or working platform.

11. An improved device according to claim 1 wherein a tow bar (53) for attaching a rope (52) or the like is mounted on the pivot axis (24).

* i l =l l 

1. In a conveying device for conveying useful loads over ferrous metal surfaces, more particularly, over the sides of ships, having at least one magnet which is secured by way of a mobile carriage to a supporting frame for receiving useful loads a short distance away from the surface being crossed, the improvements comprising a mobile carriage (14, 15; 16A . . . 220B) which is pivotable relative to the supporting frame (26, 27; 53) about a pivot axis (24) at right angles to the direction of movement, and a plurality of pairs of tread rollers (16A . . . 20B) arranged in the direction of travel and separated by the distance between their axes, the lateral separation of the front and rear tread rollers (16A, 16B; 20A, 20B) being less than the width of the magnets (12, 13).
 2. An improved device according to claim 1, wherein a pair of tread rollers (18A, 18B) are mounted in alignment with the pivot axis (24).
 3. An improved device according to claim 1, wherein the tread rollers (16A . . . 20B), are staggered with respect to each other in plan view arranged in the direction of travel with the distance between the adjacent axes being less than the diameter of the rollers.
 4. An improved device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet (12, 13) is retained in a longitudinally divided clamp consisting of two clamping jaws (14, 15); the tread rollers (16A . . . 20B) being affixed in pairs symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal median plane on the sides of the clamp, said sides preferably being in stepped formation.
 5. An improved device according to claim 1, wherein the front and rear tread rollers (16A, 16B; 20A, 20B) are smaller in diameter than the remaining tread rollers (17A . . . 19B) such that by arranging the axis of rotation in the same plane parallel to the contact surface, the front and rear tread rollers are slightly removed from the plane of contact of the remaining tread rollers.
 6. An improved device according to claim 1, wherein pairs of tread rollers are arranged on the mobile carriage.
 7. An improved device according to claim 1, wherein the mobile carriage is attached to the supporting frame (26, 27; 53) by the pivot axis (24).
 8. An improved device according to claim 1, wherein two mobile carriages each having a magnet (12, 13) are fastened together to form a common carriage (10) by means of two laterally disposed traverse rods (26, 27), each rod having one end pivotally attached to each carriage, the useful loads being supported by a cage (29) pivotally attached to said traverse rods (26, 27) centrally between the mobil carriage.
 9. An improved device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one magnet (12, 13) is an electromagnet with the magnetic fields oppositely poled.
 10. An improved device according to claim 8 wherein the mobile carriage or frame containing the magnets is arranged in the upper part of the conveying or working platform.
 11. An improved device according to claim 1 wherein a tow bar (53) for attaching a rope (52) or the like is mounted on the pivot axis (24). 